Postdoctor in Political Science, focus on global environmental governance - Hiring in process/Finished, not possible to apply

The Department announces one vacant position for a 2-year postdoctoral research fellow with an orientation towards global environmental governance and a particular focus on the institutional landscape in the biodiversity and climate policy domains. The postdoctoral position is fully funded for two years and placed at the Department of Political Science within the Faculty of Social Sciences. 

Project description
Biodiversity loss and climate change are two major challenges of the 21st century and emblematic of the current environmental crisis of planetary scale. Both problems are caused or accelerated by human behaviour with serious consequences for people’s livelihoods and entire ecosystems, restraining the habitability of the Earth. While the interrelatedness and mutual reinforcement of biodiversity loss and climate change have been emphasised in the literature, the global institutional landscape remains highly fragmented and ill-equipped to address the two intertwined problems. Recently, we have however witnessed the emergence of numerous initiatives comprising public and private actors to tackle biodiversity loss and climate change simultaneously. This project sheds light on these efforts with a particular focus on the role of international institutions (especially the two intergovernmental secretariats of the Convention on Biological Diversity as well as the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change) and their collaboration with cities, businesses, and civil society to link biodiversity and climate governance.

The project is closely connected to the research platform BECC (Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services in a Changing Climate) that engages 300 researchers at Lund University and the University of Gothenburg to address society’s need for knowledge to tackle some of the most complex social-ecological challenges of our time. For further information about BECC, see here: https://www.becc.lu.se/start

Main responsibilities
The main responsibility of the postdoctoral fellow is to map the evolving global institutional landscape in the biodiversity and climate policy domains and conduct theory-guided empirical research on the integration, legitimacy, and effectiveness of institutional responses to the twin environmental crisis. The postdoctoral fellow works together with Thomas Hickmann and other researchers at the department of political science and within the BECC consortium as well as related institutes. At the outset of the project, a publication strategy is developed to disseminate knowledge in scholarly journals in the field of political science and interdisciplinary outlets. Public outreach is envisaged through presentations at academic conferences, popular science contributions, policy briefs, and seminars under the auspices of BECC which offers numerous opportunities for networking, further education, and funding. The project also seeks to integrate key research findings into the Agenda 2030 Graduate School and the ClimBEco Graduate Research School as well as into graduate and undergraduate teaching at Lund University. 

Qualification requirements
Postdoctoral positions are appointed primarily for purposes of research. Applicants are expected to hold a Swedish doctoral degree or an equivalent degree from another country.

Assessment criteria
This is a merit-based position focused primarily on research. The position is intended as an initial career step at postdoctoral level and the evaluation of applicants will be based primarily on their potential as researchers.

We are looking for candidates with a PhD in Political Science or related disciplines with a background in environmental and sustainability governance, international relations, development studies, comparative politics and/or policy studies with a global perspective and interest in the role of international institutions in the biodiversity and climate policy domains.

Experience from previous studies and involvement in projects dealing with the role of international institutions in the biodiversity and climate policy domains are important merits. We are seeking candidates with a solid foundation in qualitative and/or quantitative methodologies and research techniques. Additional merits include a capacity to work in an international cross-disciplinary team of researchers and to communicate research findings to wider audiences beyond academia. The candidate must have excellent skills in academic written English. 

The doctoral exam must have been obtained before the employment decision is made, but no more than three years before the application deadline. An older degree may be acceptable under special circumstances. Special circumstances refer to sick leave, parental leave, elected positions in trade unions, military service, or other similar cases. 

Terms of employment
The position involves a 2-year full-time employment. Lund University is a public authority, which means that employees get several benefits, generous annual leave, and an advantageous occupational pension scheme. 

The starting date is September 2023 or as per agreement. 

Application
Apply for the position at Lund University’s recruitment system Varbi. It is the responsibility of the applicant to ensure that the application is complete in accordance with the instructions in the job advertisement, and that it is submitted before the deadline.

Please include the following information with your application

• Your contact details and personal data
• Your highest degree
• Your language skills
• Contact details for 2–3 references
and, in addition, please include the following documents
• Cover letter
• CV – degrees and other completed courses, work experience and a list of publications
• Research proposal (no more than 3 pages) describing:
– why you are interested in the project described in the advertisement
– why and how you wish to contribute to this project
– what makes you suitable for the project
• Copy of PhD certificate or statement of supervisor about final stage of PhD
• Max. two letters of recommendation (not mandatory)
• Publications in support of your application (no more than 3 files).